Running board



1932 H. D. STEWART v 1,873,504

RUNNING BOARD Filed Aug. 51, 1931 formed with compound curves.

Patented Aug. 23, 1932 i a i U'" srrsj ?Ararat HERCULES Dean srEwARr, or LANGASTER'NNSYLVANIA essievoa re Am STRONG com: COMPANY, or L enc isrrm PENNSIYLVANIA, fieonromrrou or PENNSYLVANIA RUNNING :BOARD p Application filed August 31, 1931. serial No. 560374.

My invention relates to a running board :tor automobiles, i particularly to the' provision of a cushioning strip that may be 'applied to the running board. It is an object G of my invention to produce a cushioning member for running boards that will be inexpensive to manufacture. It is a further .object of my invention to provide a cushioning member that may be applied to running boards with a minimum amount of trouble and which will remain in place for the life of the cushioning member. It is a further object of my inventon to produce a running board that will enhance the esthetic beauty of the automobile to which itis applied. It is a further object of my invention to provide a cushioning member that may be made in any desirable color or combination of colors. It s a further object of my invention to provide a cushioning member that will be durable and which will retain its beauty throughout its life. Other objects of my invention will become apparent upon reading 'the annexed specification. v

Cushioning strips of rubber attached to metal running boards by vulcanizaton or by suitable cements are well known. Such cushioning strips, however, are generally not particularly desirable because of the impossibility of attaining any pleasing decorative effects without slzyrocketing the cost of the completed running board beyond reason. Running boards having cushioning strips formed entirely of rubber cannot be harmonized with the appearance of the rest of the automobile on a commercial scale.

The possibilities of obtaining decorative effects with linoleum are unlimited. How- 0 ever, linoleum is not satisfactory when used as a cushioning strip by itseli because of the necessity of clamping the edges down on the running board with metal clamps. presence of metal clamps on theexposed face of the linoleum detracts considerably from the appearance of the running board. Another objection to the universal use of linoleum as a cushioning strip for running boards is that many running boards. are

The lino- The e leum cannot conform to the contour of the compound curve. i `With my Construction I am enabled to utiliZe'the fieXibility of the rubber and the beautifying characteristics ofthe linoleum.- The linoleummay be of any desirable color or any `combin'ation of colors to form a suitablecontra'st `with therubber andto harmonize with the beauty' of the automobile itself. i g

`In the drawing formng 'a part of this specificat'ion I have illustrateda cross section' through my running board to show thedetails ofconstruction. In the drawing the' reference numeral' 1 indicates sa suitably' shapecl metal running boards Therunni'ng board has the strips 2 and 3 of rubber vulcanized thereto by any conventional means. The vulcanization of the rubber on 'themetal running board is of particular advantage cases where the runningboard'has a compound curve. The vulcanized rubber and the metal running board constitute an integral structure and the rubber will conform intimately to the contourof the metal running board. 'v r I i The strip 3 has adepending fiange 4 to cover the edge .of the running board; This serves as a protecting means wheneveranyone kicks the edge of the running board. It also prevents the edge of'therunning board from becoming marred and unsightly from 'minor collisions. The strips 2 and 3 have on their'inner edges oVer-hanging ledges 5 and .6.-which serve as a retaining meansfor the cushioning strip 7. The strip? may bei formed of any suitable cushioning material but is preferably formed of linoleum or Simi lar composition. i The linoleum composition may be formed on a 'hacking of either felt or' burlap It is also possible to use a linoleumi composition heavy enough and strong enough tobe used on the running board without any hacking material. The edges ofthe strip 7 are formed with suitable projections 8 and 9 t0, provide aniinterlocking engagement between thestrip 7 and the ledges 5 'and 6, on the 'rubber strips 2 'and 3.` Obviously' the edges, of the strips may be beveled, or. any othersuitable form` of connection means may 1 0 eo p be substituted for the overhanging ledges A Generally car.

i and 6 and the projeotions 8 and 9.

The linoleum strip 7 may be held in place by means of the ledges 5 and 6 and metal clamps at each end of the strip. I prefer, however, to insure the adherence of the strip I 7 to the running board by the use ofa suitable adhesive. The adhesive is applied on the underside of thelinoleum and the strip is i then slid in place with its edges 8 and 9 in interlocking engagement'with the overhanging ledges 5 and 6 of the two strps of rubber' vulcanized in place on the metal running board.

The cushioningstrip 7 'of linoleum or similar compositon s securely locked m placeby the overhangingledges of the rubber strips and th iadhesive.

The strip willbe held in place until it is completely worn out.

The strip is provided on its top surface with a plurality of ribs 10. which' take thebrunt of the wear to which the running board is subjected. The ribs 'serve to protect the.

main portion of the "cushioning strip7 from*` wear and prolong" its useful life. The ribs 10 are shown aslongitudinalparallel projecjoo ijeoting fromits inner edge, linoleum composition adhesively Secured to the base' and having edges cooperating with tions.=.' However, they may extend transversely of the' running board or may be arranged in any suitable design. Its also the strip'will lastlonger than the said second mentioned strips to maintain said In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

HERoULEs DoRn STWART.

within the purview ?of my invention to form the main'portion of the cushionng strip 7 .of one color and the'ribs of a difl erentloolor or colors to produce'any desired artistic efieot "in the final product'. While I have desoribeda preferred embodiment of my invention it, will'be understood that Variousdetails'may be Varied with i out departing from the spirit of-my inVen-j` "tion andI do-not desire to limitmy invention'g except by the appended claims. claim:

l. A running board comprising'aimetal -base, two rubber strips Vulcanized thereto i and a strip of 'linoleum composition inter-" lookinglyengaged between the two rubber y .1nt

*2. A running board comprising a metal i base anda pair of spaced strps of rubber and ;astrp of linoleum secured theretoin interlocked engagement. i i i 3. A -running board comprising a metal base, two strips of rubber attached theretof each'strip having an overhanging ledge pro projections 'along its the ledges of the rub and a'strip'off A ber strips ;to maintain the linoleum: in' i.

'position. i i 4 A running board Comprising a base, a

- strip of linoleum positioned on said'baebetween a pair:

of strips of more resilientma' teral, sa d linoleum strips' being provided- 1th progectons adapted to ,coop'erate with?- 

